Binding Spells on Tablets and Papyri

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Abstract

This chapter covers the body of binding spells or defixiones dating from the 6th century BCE to the 8th century CE. It provides an overview of the major published collections of defixiones and discussions of six exemplary defixiones, as well as the significance of lead, the most common medium for defixiones. The chapter examines verbal and mythological characteristics of defixiones, such as simila similibus and committal formulae and invocations of the dead. Binding spells, it is argued, were never the exclusive province of expert scribes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGuide to the Study of Ancient Magic
EditorsDavid Frankfurter
Place of PublicationLeiden
PublisherBrill Academic Publishers
Chapter15
Pages351-388
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-04-39075-1
ISBN (Print)978-90-04-46201-4, 978-90-04-17157-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Apr 2019

Publication series

NameReligions in the Graeco-Roman World
PublisherBrill
Volume189
ISSN (Electronic)0927-7633

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